Persistence, Resilience and Mathematics in Engineering Transfer Capital

Contribution: This paper identifies key personal and academic factors in successful transfer to electrical, computer, and mechatronics (ECM) engineering programs. The findings support prior research on engineering transfer shows that successful students accumulate knowledge and behaviors in their sending institution that enable their progress in the receiving institution. Background: Institutional arrangements and processes, inclusive cultures and practices, social integration, and clear academic requirements support the transfer of students who go from two-year colleges and similar to follow engineering programs at four-year institutions. Various personal attributes are also associated with successful transfer. Research Question: What factors enable transferees to succeed in four-year ECM engineering degree programs? Methodology: Student data were obtained from the receiving institution's registration database and grades administration system. Database queries were used to identify transfer and non-transfer students' performance. Averages and frequencies of passes, fails, repeats, withdrawals, etc., were calculated and compared. There were limited data on students' personal challenges and non-academic strengths. Findings: All the students who attained Bachelor of Science degrees in ECM showed persistence and resilience in their journeys toward an engineering qualification, and had achieved high grades in mathematics at the sending institution.